Mildura Weekly – 28/02/14 61
www.milduraphonebook.com.au
THIS weekend’s 2014 V8 Supercar sea-
son opener in Adelaide kicks off a big
year of changes, new faces and new
teams in Australian motorsport’s pre-
mier category.
It will be the first time we’ll see the
newest manufacturer, Volvo, on the grid
with its S60, piloted by young gun Scott
McLaughlin and Swede Robert Dahl-
gren.
The Kelly brothers’ Nissan Motors-
port operation meanwhile is expecting
to be more competitive from the outset
this year thanks firstly to a revised aero
package which was blamed for up to 80
percent of the Nissan’s lack of straight
line speed last year.
Judging by the recent official V8 Su-
percar test results, which saw all four
Nissans in the top 10, the aero package
appears to have improved the cars’ per-
formance.
The team has also concentrated on
its engine performance and have sent
one of their locally-developed Nissan
powerplants to Nismo’s headquarters in
Japan for further development.
Todd Kelly recently said Nismo was
working to find more power and torque
and better fuel economy from the ex-
isting motor, while longer term plans
could centre on new cylinder heads.
Todd said this week that while there
were positive signs from the recent of-
ficial test, the team won’t know for cer-
tain where it stands until racing starts.
“It’s always hard to know how the
test day relates to how our year’s going
to pan out,” he said.
“There’s always the quality of tyres
that’s an unknown and really too many
variables to read too far into it.
“It’s certainly an exciting time for
the team. We’ve done a huge amount of
work through the off-season, in particu-
lar with our aero kit, and we know that
it’s got less aero drag than last year’s car,
so we should be faster up the straights.”
In other V8 Supercar news, reigning
champion Jamie Whincup was this week
set to sign just a single-year contract
extension for 2015 with Triple Eight,
sparking rumours he may be on the
move in 2016.
Whincup explained his thinking
to www.v8supercar.com.au earlier this
month.
“The sport is changing so much, my
best is still yet to come, so one year is
good,” he told the website.
“It guarantees me at Red Bull Racing
for 2015. One year is a long time, I don’t
plan too far ahead.
“I have done three-year deals in
the past, but not when the category is
changing so dramatically for everyone.
“There are new manufacturers, there
are all sorts of things. It’s all happening,
which is great for the sport.”
Whincup’s contract extension means
his deal with the Triple Eight outfit will
expire at the same time as both Red
Bull’s sponsorship of the team and
Craig Lowndes’ contract with the team.
V8s back in action
FULL THROTTLE
RACING • TIPS • FEATURES • REVIEWS
P: 5023 2503 | E: johnjuddind@ncable.com.au
13 - 17 Eleventh Street, MILDURA
WHEN IT COMES
TO YOUR CAR...
We’r e the experts
------
Smash Repairs ------
------
Spray Painting ------
------
Powder Coating ------
------
Truck Repairs ------
SERVICING
SUNRAYSIA
AND THE
RIVERLAND
5021 2103
F 5021 2733
489 Benetook Ave, Mildura
E gooddeal@ncable.com.au
Sole Sunraysia
Dealer
0438 351 842 | 421 San Mateo Ave, Mildura
OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE
SMASH REPAIRS
• Cut ‘n’ Polish • Baking Oven •
• Insurance Work •
Free Quotes, Pick-ups
and Deliveries
(03) 5022 2955
436/438 San Mateo Ave
Vehicle Servicing
New and Used Parts
Mechanical Repairs
Tow bars
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
5022 0299
32 Eighth Street MILDURA
1KG BAG OF
MICROFIBRE
RAGS
$995
ONLY
EACH
256 Etiwanda Ave, Mildura
P (03) 5022 1196 F (03) 5023 4602
E bodyshoppaints@bigpond.com
www.bodyshoppaints.com
Surface Preparation and Refinish Supplies.
From Touch Up Cans to full Restorations.
FOR ALL YOUR REFINISHING NEEDS
REFINISHES
Mildura
AUTOMOTIVE
CUSTOM
INDUSTRIAL
MOTORCYCLES
AGRICULTURAL